A Guide to Finding the Best Boat Names
Choosing a Name for Your Boat
You have just found your perfect boat. It has everything you could wish for and more. It's practically shouting, "Buy me, buy me!"
"Wait a minute," you say. "I could never own a boat with a name like that!"
Alas, naming or renaming a boat is not a task to be taken lightly; it requires thought and careful consideration. The name of your boat may reflect the type of boat or something personal to you, or even a mix of the two. Let's take a look at some possible names for different types of boats.
Speed Boat Names
If you have a speedboat or a racing sailboat you may want to opt for a name that is synonymous with speed. This could be something that not only sounds fast but puts fear in your opponent's mind. Let's imagine there's a boat called "Sunshine Seeker" racing against a boat with the name "Greased Lightning." Where would you put your money if betting on a winner?
In the end, it's all about the ability to maneuver a boat at speed and how powerful the engine(s) are, but having a speedy sounding name and a slick appearance never hurts. Here are some examples of suitable names for this type of boat:
- Lickety Split
- Greased Lightning
- Flying Lady (notably from a Rolls Royce)
- Blew By Ya
- Breaking Waves
- Rebel
- Wake-Up Call
- Bad Boy
- Banshee
- Razor's Edge
- Renegade
- Lic-a-dee-Split
- Silver Bullet
- Terminator
Imagine any of these flashing in the face of your adversary as you go racing past and into the lead. Satisfying, isn't it?
Sailboat Names
There are two types of sailing—racing and cruising. For racers, you may want to see the names for speed boats above. For pleasure sailing, you'll find some suitable names below. Unsurprisingly, 'wind' features heavily in these names, though names of clouds can also be used to great effect.
- Summer Wind
- Second Wind
- Wind Dancer
- Tailwinds
- Ocean Breeze
- Peaceful Wind
- Sailing Free
- Sails Call
- Sail Away
- Cirrus
- Nimbus
- Sirocco
Ahh, I can almost picture the wind filling the sails and hear the water splashing against the bow.
Foreign Names for Boats
The use of foreign names has always been a popular choice, especially among those who want to appear well traveled or wish to conjure up a desire for world travel. That being said, if you're only going to use your boat to cruise in English-speaking areas, perhaps these aren't for you.
- Carpe Diem (Seize the Day or Seas the Day)
- La Bella Vita (The Beautiful Life)
- Ohana (Hawaiian term for extended family)
- Whãnau (Maori term for extended family)
- Adagio (Slow Tempo)
- Adios (Goodbye)
Fishing Boat Names
If you're picking a name for a fishing boat, you have many options to choose from. Whether the boat is for charter or personal use, you can select names associated with fishing tackle or simply the pleasure of fishing.
If you offer a boat charter business, the name should reflect the image you are trying to project. No one wants to go luxury cruising on a boat called "Bait Master," but if they are chartering the boat for fishing, then it is a great name.
- Gone Fishin'
- Catchin' Dinner
- Avid Angler
- Bait Master
- Bigger Game
- Reel Deal
- Reel Satisfaction
- Kingfisher
- Reel-Nauti
- Fishin' Magician
- Heron
How could you not catch something with names like these?
Humorous Boat Names
I personally love seeing a boat with a humorous name. To me, it conveys that the people inside are fun people; they are enjoying themselves and not concerned with what other people think about them or their boat. Here are a few of my favorite examples.
- Broke but Afloat
- Called in Sick
- Going Seanile
- Your Place Oar Mine
- What's up Dock
- Sleeping With Oars
- Loon-A-Sea
- Sails Call
- Rockhopper
Relaxing Names for Boats
There is a fast-growing number of boats with names that conjure up pleasant, relaxing thoughts. Indeed, the idea that you can just sail away and take a break from the real world while leaving your problems onshore is a lovely one. Below are a few suggestions.
- Hydrotherapy
- Solitude
- Mental Floss
- Escape
- Solitude
- Serenity
- Whisper
- Dreamweaver
- Stress Less
- Kindred Spirit
You can almost feel the pressure of a landlocked life floating away as you cast off the bowlines, leaving your problems on the shore.
Alcohol-Related Boat Names
There are also many boat names related to alcohol, which can be fun as long as you don't draw unwanted attention from the port authorities. For some people, boating and alcohol seem to go together. Here's a few choice names.
- Three Sheets
- J & B
- Kahlúa
- Beeracuda
- Shaken not Stirred
- Comfortably Numb
- On the Rocks (ideally your drink and not your boat)
- Wine Down
- Sip & Dip
Mythological Boat Names
Many people prefer to use a name from Greek mythology. Below are a few of the more popular ones.
- Phaedra (Bright)
- Adonis (God of Beauty and Desire)
- Pegasus (The Flying Horse)
- Poseidon (God of the Sea)
- Zephyr (God of the West Wind)
- Boreas (God of the North Wind)
- Eurus (God of the East Wind)
- Notus (God of the South Wind)
- Odyssey (Epic Voyage)
Is It Bad Luck to Rename Your Boat?
The renaming of a boat is something that is cloaked with superstition, and many still believe bad luck will befall you if you rename a boat. Let me explain. When most trading was done by ships, they carried their reputations with them. As such, when one arrived in port to do business, it was greeted and welcomed because over time the locals had developed a relationship with the traders aboard. If a ship changed its name, it was treated with suspicion, and a new relationship had to forged.
If you have purchased a boat and you truly cannot live with the name, you must do the following:
- Remove everything that has the ship's previous name. Don't forget key chains and life preservers. Stickers with the name may come off with a special cleaner that removes adhesive. Otherwise, you can use a scraper.
- Notify the Coast Guard of the name change and provide proper documentation.
- Once you are sure you have removed everything, you will need a christening ceremony. Invite some friends and bring the champagne. Not the cheap stuff, either, as some of it will be offered to the Gods of the Sea.
- Make a speech to the boat and notify her and the Gods of the name change. Toast her, the Gods, and her new name. Splash champagne across the hull. There is no need to smash a bottle on the boat.
Boat Renaming Ceremony
Who Owned These Boats
view quiz statisticsQuestions & Answers
- Helpful 14
Can you help us with a boat name for a pontoon? My husband is retired; USN Sr. Chief, he now works for the Federal Aviation Administration flying over airports to inspect them. We love to putz around our lake, swim and have a few drinks. Our last name is Morehouse. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Hi,
Thanks for your question. Here are a few ideas for you:
Fun afloat
Chill time
Happy Ours
Water Haven
Time flies by
Memory Maker
Cruise Mission
I tried some anagrams of your surname but nothing seemed suitable. I thought about 'Houseless' but that seemed too close to 'homeless' which you aren't.
Helpful 18- Helpful 4
We are want to somehow name our boat in memory of our daughter who died of cancer when she was 10 years old. Her name is Rayanne Marion Dorgan. Would you have any ideas?
I think Rayanne would be a wonderful name for your boat.
Helpful 13
© 2012 Mary Wickison
What Would You Name a Boat?
AUTHORI like the name 'Big Fitz', personally. Here's a few more. 'Fitz o'Fun', KKFitz (for Kimberly, kids & you husband), Fit-Zee.
Hi,
My husband and I are struggling to come us with a name for our boat. It is a 26ft bow rider. My name is Kimberly and we had talked about Kimberly Ann but our kids shot that down. Our last name is Fitzpatrick (my husband is called Big Fitz) so I was thinking maybe something with our last name. Our wedding song was “You’re the Inspiration” so maybe a name using Inspiration. We love sports as well. So very much in need of help with this.
My husband owns a used car lot. Any suggestions on a great name for a boat?
I am a project manager for a civil construction company and my soon to be wife is a registered nurse. Our last name is Everett. We have a fishing boat that we need a name for. We have considered Mama Tried and Ditch Digger but would some other options. Thanks!
If I had a yacht I would make it a luxury yacht. I would name it Titan.
We own a golf cart shop ( sales and service) and are looking a name for our new boat. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks
Hi, we just boat a 54 foot Sea Ray Sun dancer. We are at Lake of the Ozarks in Mo. Any ideas on a name?
Hi, Just brought a boat and thinking of something to name it. I brought it with my inheritance from my parents (both deceased) I want to name it something honoring them
Thank you
Just bought a boat and will be the boys first time named. We wanted something that ties it to our daughter. Her name is Rory.... or were thinking something w a Roar. Any suggestions.. it is a small 18ft lake boat :) any ideas would be so helpful!!
- AUTHOR
Hi Mario,
Here are a few to consider:
Lucky streak
On the nose
Nipped at the post,
Champions,
On track,
thoroughbred,
On course,
Neck and neck,
Winners enclosure,
Garland of roses,
Wind Rider,
Hi
We need a name honoring both of our dads (both deceased), one of the things they had in common is, going and betting on horse track races.
We have been racking our brains for over a month and still haven't found a proper name for it.
Please help
- AUTHOR
The word furacious I made up. It is more of a portmanteau of fur and vivacious, delicious, or something akin to that.
Regarding the foreign names, if you open up Google or Bing translator and put in meaningful words to you. Such as blessed, adopted, saved, hope, some of the translated words are beautiful.
I dont know why but I can look up boat names to give me inspiration. I wonder what "furtacious" means? Thanks for bringing in the idea of boat names in foreign laguages.
- AUTHOR
Here are a few for you to consider:
Second chance
paw pad
kitty pup
saving grace
pet jet
fast and fur-rious
Luv R Critters
Free & Easy
Furtacious
I've also thrown in some foreign words:
abençoado (blessed in Portuguese)
bendito (blessed in Spanish)
Bjarga (save in Icelandic)
Keep me posted on the name you finally decide on.
I have been reading your articles and felt compelled to write since seeing the creative and helpful ideas and suggestions of boat names.
If you would be so kind as to help us with some suggestions… we’d appreciate it.
My husband and I are in our late 40’s and just found each other 6 years ago, marrying last year, We have shared our home and our family for about 5 years and when I say “family” I am referring to our pets. We are HUGE animal lovers and strong advocates for dogs and cats, and for adoption and rescue. We would love to incorporate a name that defines our love of pets and yet leave people inspired and while thinking “wow, that is really a great name!" lol No pressure, right? The boat we are getting is a 24 foot jet boat for relaxing, fishing and maybe some raft pulling etc…
The boat we are getting is brand new and being built… we are not fancy folks (my husband is a mechanic and shop owner and I am a hospice nurse) yet, this boat is a HUGE expense to us but because of his love of the water and our mutual adoration for our pets… can you give us any ideas?
Note: our first boat which we purchased 4 years ago is 20 years old. It was inexpensive but we loved it and we even gave it a name though we never got around to putting the name on. Because it was not new, not expensive and not perfect (though perfect to us) we named it ADOPTED. We thought it was pretty cool - who knows? Anyway, we’d love to name this boat and really want it special.
Please help?
Thanks so much in advance
- AUTHOR
We are hoping to sell our farm and live on a sailboat. I have never been sailing but my husband assures me, I'll love it.
I'm glad you enjoyed sailing, it was kind of your coworker to invite you.
I'm pleased you liked the names here, thanks for your visit.
I'll never have a boat, but I really enjoyed the clever and humorous names here. I used to live near a coastal community in Maine and was lucky enough to be able to go out on a coworker's sailboat several times. It was always a lovely day on the water.
- AUTHOR
Hi Gordon,
I like the name Kingfisher and have added it to the list of names.
We have 3 different types of kingfishers where I live and they are excellent at fishing. In fact, they have a better success rate than I do with a rod and reel.
I think many people feel the same way as you do about renaming a boat. If someone is thinking of reselling their boat in the future, then it would be wise to select a good name from the outset. I wonder how many sells are lost because of a poor choice of name?
Great to hear from you, thanks for reading.
A subject very close to my heart, Mary. Many interesting names there for lots of different types of boats. The most common name I've come across for a fishing boat is Kingfisher, or some closely associated adaptation thereof. Been out on a lot of boats with names like that. I'm really old fashioned, in one particular respect at least, I'm afraid - and totally frown on renaming a boat under any circumstances. Yes, I know - many say it's superstitious mumbo jumbo. If anyone's going to do it though, you're advice does sound good :)
- AUTHOR
Those are great names for boats. You know your nautical history.
Who knows what's around the corner, you could still get that tall ship.
Thanks for reading.
I love this! I love the old boats, Mary rose etc, and have a couple of galleons and cutters on display in my bedroom! lol! proved my point with your quiz! 100 percent! Yeah! I always said if I were rich I would buy a tall ship and call it either moonfleet or sebastian rose!
- AUTHOR
Hi Jeff,
There are so many variations to beverage names and it is no secret that boating and alcohol go hand in hand. I think the tolerance of harbor masters varies from place to place for such recreation.
Glad you liked the list, thanks for reading.
Awesome!! was looking for a boat name list. I'm thinking "Comfortably Numb", but also like "Three Sheets". Hahaha, then again, "Beeracuda" is priceless. Hmmmm, would be kewl if you posted a list of names for blenders as well :) -- J
- AUTHOR
Hi Kristi
Sorry for the delay, it was a lot more difficult than I initially thought.
I think with a little work and wordplay, some of the following may be a good place to start.
Scotch and Watters, or any beverage normally mixed with water.
Calm Watters
Blue Watters
Watters shed
Watters Works
Watters time
Watters Way
Divine Watters
Watters fronts
Wattersbed
Watters Cooler
Cooler Watters
stay away from Muddy Watters though.
Let me know what you finally decide on.
Thanks for your question.
Ideas for cruiser with the word "Watters". Our last name
- AUTHOR
Hi Marisa,
Well, there is nothing like a challenge. Not a lot to go on really but here goes.
Embees (M Bs)
mb x 2
the first part of your name is Mar which is 'sea' in (Portuguese and Spanish)
Bella Mar
Or a combination of your husband's name and yours.
I reckon the boat should be named after you for a few reasons.
1. Your husband has a boat.
2. Your husband has you.
3. Your husband is a gentleman.
4. Your husband likes a peaceful life.
5. Boats are always referred to as a female.
If you are on Facebook, I suggest you throw it out to your connections who know you. They will probably give you some suggestions which are much more personal to you.
Let me know what you finally decide on.
Great to hear from you.
Hi my boyfriend and I just bought a 26ft sea ray but can't decide on a name. I would like a name that reflects us as a couple or the initials MBBRH doesn't have to be in that order. My and my hubby's initials are MB if it need to be cut short. Can you help
- AUTHOR
Hi Judy,
Thanks for the question.
Here are a few ideas.
Untangled
detangled
Cut and Go
Blown away
Permanent solution
wave maker
hairway to heaven
million hairs
headonizm
shear beauty
tre'ss bien
bobbers
snip snip away
We are buying a boat a will be renaming her. My problem is I'm a hairstylist and want something that represents or a pun of my career. Could you help with some ideas? Thanks
Do let us know what you eventually do name it!
Ann
- AUTHOR
I too love the name, Mental Floss. When we sell our farm, we are seriously considering buying a sailboat and living aboard, hence the idea of this article. One of the yachts we are interested in has an awful name (according to my husband), so it would need to be changed. Oh the discussions we have had over names. It is likely our boat will be called "Nameless" as we just can't agree on one. LOL
Thanks for reading.
Love 'Mental Floss'! Sadly, I'm never likely to own a boat but I do like being by and on the sea (though not in it!). I always look at their names when in a harbour or marina and some are indeed fascinating.
This is a great read with style that flows. It's a while since I read any of your hubs which is very remiss of me. Mental note to catch up with a few more!
Ann
- AUTHOR
Some of those names might well suit a pug. Banshee, for example, might suit an active one.
Regarding superstitions, there is often a reason behind most, although as time passes, fewer people remember what that reason was.
Thanks for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
A lovely selection of names. I don't have a boat, but maybe I can choose among those names if I buy a pug. Interesting story about the superstition related to changing a boat's name, and the practical reason behind it:)
- AUTHOR
Hi Audrey,
Thanks for your kind words, I'm glad you enjoyed it. My husband and I are thinking of buying a sailboat so we have been exploring possible names.
Thanks for reading.
I really like this well-written hub about boat names. The relaxing list of names are lovely. An entertaining and education article!
- AUTHOR
Hi Peg,
I know what you mean, watching boats and being near the water is calming. Owning the boat and paying for all those repairs is when it becomes stressful.
Still, it is a dream for many, myself included.
Thanks for your comment.
Nice photos and beautiful scenes. I loved the names of some of these boats like Serenity and Whisper. I used to work for an alarm company that protected Bertram Yachts in Miami. I always loved seeing the beautiful and expensive boats in their yard. Ahoy.
- AUTHOR
Hi Nell,
My husband keeps looking at the gaff rigged ships. All I see are a bunch of ropes. Where I have visions of sitting on a catamaran drinking my mug of tea with a good book, he has visions of rolling seas, pitching boats and water spray in his face.
We need to find a compromise. We are trying to swap our house in Brazil for a boat. Know any takers? We'll pay a good commission!
The only boat or ship that I would love would be one of the old cutters or galleons! we call the cutters etc tall ships, but I love them, and would love to sail around the world with those!
- AUTHOR
Hi Jill & Dora,
I'm glad you both enjoyed it. They always say, a pretty boat sails well, perhaps a great name helps too.
Thank you both for reading.
Mary, this was so entertaining and informational too. Now, I think the boat ride would be more enjoyable if you like the name.
These were a lot of fun, and the quiz at the end was great. A good read!
- AUTHOR
Hi Marlene,
Sorry for the late reply.
Some people keep the name and others opt to change it. Just today I was reading about a boat which has had 3 names. Its name, now is January. This was the month the couple were married and also the month they bought their boat. Plus it is also a time of new beginnings.
Thanks for reading, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
These are all very interesting names. I did not know that boats could be renamed. I mean, I did believe it was bad luck to rename a boat. Thank you for clearing that up for me. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the reason behind each type of boat name.
Named my Jon boat Stacyann after my beloved
- AUTHOR
That would be a wonderful name for a boat as well.
Thanks for reading.
daughters name is Blu
- AUTHOR
That sounds like a fantastic name for a boat. Many boats and yachts, take their names from mythology. I think it gives them more class to be honest.
I would name a boat Princess Andromeada from Greek mythology also the name of Luke's yaht from Percy Jackson.
- AUTHOR
Hi Natashalh,
Glad you enjoyed it.
Great to hear from you.
Thanks for the fun quiz!
- AUTHOR
A gentleman named John Staluppi. He was one of the first to see the potential of a car maker called Honda. After a decade he had a 20 dealerships. His next success was with Hyundai.
He turned his hand to the yachting industry and created Millennium Super Yachts.
I guess this is as important as naming your special puppy. Enjoyed the hub topic. I saw a yacht the other day with the name, "Diamonds Are Forever!"..wonder who owns it?
- AUTHOR
Hi Ruth,
I am pleased you liked it. You would get on well with my better half, he loves those novels as well.
Excellent hub and very well written. I always heard that it was bad luck to re-name a ship. But maybe that's a "Navy" thing. I think I read it in a Napoleonic wars series of British Naval novels.
56